HIGHERSIDE ABC coach Dave Mulchay has jumped to the defence of the club's senior star John Watson after the boxer pulled out of this year's ABA Championships minutes before his opening bout.

The 2004 national champion was due to meet Golden Gloves youngster Michael Ungi in the West Lancs and Cheshire 64kg final at the Olympia at the weekend.

But, after both boxers weighed in, Watson was driven away from the venue without throwing a punch.

"Anyone who knows John knows he's not the type of person to duck anyone," Mulchay said. "But as his coach I had to make a decision. He was in no state to box.

"He was that ill I even had to drive his car home. There was no way the doctor would have passed him fit, so I got him out of there.

"It's so disappointing for him. He was unable to defend his title at the start of the year due to work commitments, and now this."

But Mulchay added: "We would like to wish Michael Ungi all the luck in the world. We explained the situation to him and he genuinely felt for John. He's a good kid and we all hope he wins the ABA title."